18 July 2022 marked a significant milestone in the partnership between ANU and Shandong University (SDU) with the arrival of 61 students from SDU-ANU Joint Science College (JSC) in Canberra. JSC is a unique partnership between ANU and Shandong University that is underpinned by a 3+1+1 articulation model across a diverse set of discipline areas involving programs in physics, biological sciences, mathematics, and chemistry. Students that enrol at JSC can, after completing three years of their SDU degree and meeting ANU entry requirements, transfer to ANU to graduate with both ANU Bachelor of Science and ANU Master of Science degrees after successfully completing two years of study at ANU. These 61 students represent the first cohort of JSC students to enrol at ANU through this partnership. 

Professor Kiaran Kirk, Dean of ANU College of Science and Medicine, said “Having met these students when they first arrived to start their degree in Weihai three years ago, and having seen them persist with their goal to come here to the ANU throughout the many challenges presented by the pandemic, I am delighted to welcome them to Canberra. Through our partnership with Shandong University the students have the opportunity to experience different modes of teaching in two quite different environments. Here at the ANU they will have the opportunity to interact with many of our staff and, I hope, make potentially lifelong friendships with fellow students from all around the world.”

Students spent their first week at ANU participating in a range of orientation activities and events which included a welcome ceremony, academic induction, course advice sessions, campus tours, local excursions and more. As part of the welcome ceremony, Prof Jianya Liu, President of Shandong University Weihai delivered a video message from China. “I am glad to learn that students from SDU-ANU Joint Science College have safely arrived in Australia and have started their new life at the Australian National University. The motto of Shandong University “Boundless in Knowledge, Noble in Spirit” and the motto of the Australian National University “First to Learn the Nature of Things” are going to be beacons of light for JSC students on their path to higher learning.”, said Prof Liu.

Xiaowen Chen, a biology student said that she was initially concerned about her ability to adapt to a new life in Australia but her transition from Weihai to Canberra has been seamless, with staff from ANU providing all the necessary support she needed to settle in Canberra.

Since 2020, Dr Noah White from the ANU Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI) has been engaging with JSC students remotely and he was excited to finally meet the students in-person and not through a computer screen. “The MSI is thrilled to have our first cohort of students arrive from Shandong University. Last week the students sat down with academic advisors to learn about the MSI’s course offerings and the many paths that are open to them for their time here at ANU. Students will be studying an exciting variety of subjects including the numerical optimisation that underpins the world’s most powerful algorithms, the stochastic processes that describe our financial markets, the beauty and wonder of number theory including its applications to cryptography, and much more. We hope the students will enjoy learning these fascinating topics as much as we will enjoy teaching them. And of course, we are also excited to share with them Australian life and culture and make their time here a highlight of their lives.”, said Dr White.

JSC students have already had their first taste of lectures and tutorials at ANU with their courses commencing on 25 July. Xiwen Qiu, a physics student and recipient of the Director’s Scholarship for Academic Excellence said, “The academic rigor of ANU and the calm and peaceful ANU campus makes it an ideal place for international students like me to pursue my goal of becoming a scientist. Lecturers are all extremely friendly and passionate, and provided all the support I needed to settle in an English-speaking classroom for the first time.”

Prof Lilia Ferrario, Director of ANU Mathematical Sciences Institute (MSI), said that her institute is looking forward to having JSC students in MSI courses and integrating them into the broader MSI community. Prof Ferrario added, “Some of these students may decide to also continue on to complete a research project at MSI and eventually join our PhD programs.”

Zhining Wang, a recipient of Dean’s International Science Excellence Scholarship is excited about the challenge that lies ahead of him and advises other JSC students to consider coming to ANU. According to Zhining, “Studying at ANU, in a full English environment really gave me the opportunity to explore and challenge myself, which I believe will be very beneficial to my future career. Living on campus is very convenient, and at the same time, close to nature. Everyone I have encountered, including staff, roommates and classmates were extremely friendly. I would recommend ANU to all JSC students.”